2025 K12 Art Competition for Young Artists

The 2025 K12 Art Competition for Young Artists is organized by K12 Enrichment and invites participation from students enrolled in grades K–12 across the United States. Designed to foster creativity and artistic expression among youth, this annual competition encourages students to submit original works of art in a variety of formats, including physical 2D and 3D art, digital creations, and photography. The contest serves as a platform to celebrate young talent and support arts education by offering cash prizes and public recognition. K12 Enrichment, a program under Stride, Inc., oversees the competition. Stride, Inc. is an education-focused organization that offers innovative learning platforms and services. Through this competition, the organization reinforces its mission of promoting creativity and holistic development in school-aged children by providing them a structured opportunity to showcase their artistic skills. Participants can compete in three distinct artistic categories: physical art, digital art, and photography. Physical art submissions are made by uploading a high-quality photograph of the original work, which is then reviewed and presented in a live Zoom session if selected as a finalist. Digital art must be created using digital tools and software, and photography submissions are expected to convey compelling visual stories. The competition structure includes two tiers of awards: Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice. Judge’s Choice awards are determined by a panel from Stride, Inc., selecting first- and second-place winners for each grade and category, resulting in a total of 78 winners. The first-place winner in each segment receives $250, while second-place winners receive $100, both with the option of cash or Amazon e-gift cards. The People’s Choice award is decided via public vote, offering one $50 prize per grade and category, resulting in 39 additional winners. Eligibility is limited to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are currently enrolled in grades K–12. Entrants must reside in the United States at the time of submission. For students under the age of 13, entries must be submitted by a parent or guardian. Employees of the sponsor (Stride, Inc.), its affiliates, advertising agencies, and immediate family members or those living in the same household are ineligible to participate. Submissions must be made online, with no requirement to mail physical artwork. Finalists may be required to participate in a live Zoom call to present their work. The total prize pool exceeds $15,000. All entries must be submitted before the deadline of August 25, 2025. While the competition timeline does not specify an official opening date, the announcement was made on July 17, 2025, and applications are currently being accepted. No grant duration is specified, and this opportunity is classified as an awards and prizes competition rather than a traditional grant with spending requirements. Contact information for the competition administrators was not provided in the source material, and prospective applicants are advised to visit the K12 Enrichment website for further details. The competition is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and it is void where pr